By Staff
Senior Living
(This week The Atmore Advance spotlights Atmore resident Grover Everette, who recently turned 76 years old .)
Q: When and where were you born?
A: I was born in Atmore Sept. 22, 1930 on Jack Springs Road on the left.
The homeplace has been torn down for some time now.
Q: Who were your parents?
A: My dad was J.E. Everette, Sr. and my mom was Georgia Mae Everette moved here from Monroe County in the 1930's.
Q: Do you have any brothers or sisters?
A: I have six brothers and three sisters. Gordon and J.E. live in Atmore and Smith lives in Bay Minette. My brothers Willard and Joe are both deceased.
My two sisters Quida and Calendar are both deceased as well and Alma Smith lives here in Atmore.
Q: Where did you attend high school and/or college?
A: I started in the first grade at A.C. Moore school in Atmore. I went through the sixth grade there.
Then I moved to the old Escambia County High School where I graduated in 1948.
I am one of the "famous" "Barnes Boys" from the high school football team. I played all four years of high school as a running back and as the defensive and offensive end.
We lost one game out of 30 games during my high school years.
I had a scholarship offered to me from Texas Tech for football, but I wouldn't take it because that was just too far from home for a 17-year-old boy.
I wish now that I would have taken it and seen what the road would have been like.
My favorite subject in high school was Ag class. I was raised on a farm and enjoyed learning different things about the farm and how they worked.
Q: How did your family travel when you were younger?
A: My dad had an old pick up but we mainly traveled by mule and wagon.
Q: Do you remember the first vehicle you bought?
A: I bought my first vehicle from Staff Chevrolet when I was 19 years old. It was 1952 Chevrolet pick up.
Q: What jobs have you held?
A: I was one of the first members of the National Guard in town. We were activated in 1951 and went to Battle Creek, Mich., for a year to set up artillery around the city of Detroit during the Korean War in case they came over to bomb us.
When I came back, I worked as parts manager at Staff Chevrolet for 38 years.
Then I bought Barton's Flower Shop in town across from Johnson-Quimby and worked there for four and a half years before I closed it.
Then I went to work at Escambia Farm Equipment which later became Smith Tractor. I worked there for 15 years before retiring the first of this month.
I started having health problems and had to leave.
Q: Did you ever marry?
A: Yes, I married Carolyn Kizer. I met her at the Little League Park. I was 12 years older than her when we met.
We got married in 1966 in Atmore by Rev. Burl Phillips.
Q: Do you have any children or grandchildren?
A: We have four children – Richard, Scott, Denine and Steven. Steven has passed away and our other children are all near. We have seven grandchildren. They are at my house everyday!
Q: Where do you attend church?
A: We started out at First Baptist and then moved our letter to Brooks Memorial.
I am a member of the adult choir and I am a deacon there too.
Q: What keeps you busy these days?
A: I try to help with the housework some.
My wife really likes gardening and plants and flowers.
I plan to do what I want to do when I feel like doing it!
Q: Have you traveled much?
A: I don't like to travel that much at all. We have on occasion driven out to San Diego, Calif., to visit with my wife's sister, but other than that we haven't done much traveling.
Q: What is your favorite television show?
A: I like watching the doctor show; "House," "Prison Break" and of course Alabama football.
I am not what I would consider a die-hard fan, because I will watch Auburn play.
But no matter what I will always be a Blue Devil all of my life.
Q: What advice can you give on staying healthy?
A: I would tell people not to fool with drugs and alcohol.
They need to get involved in church and always put God first in your life.
(If you would like to recommend a senior to be spotlighted please contact Janet Little Cooper at 368-2123 or e-mail her at lifestyles@atmoreadvance.com